Liquid crystal display device with pixel electrode connecting portion and storage capacitor electrode performing initialization process

ABSTRACT

In a liquid crystal display of the present invention, a pixel electrode ( 6 ) provided on each pixel is comprised of rectangular first electrode ( 6   a ) and second electrode ( 6   b ) and a connecting portion ( 6   c ) connecting the first electrode ( 6   a ) to the second electrode ( 6   b ). The connecting portion ( 6   c ) has a transverse sectional area smaller than those of the first electrode ( 6   a ) and the second electrode  6 ( b ). Upon a current having a predetermined value or more flowing through the connecting portion ( 6   c ), the first electrode ( 6   a ) and the second electrode ( 6   b ) are electrically disconnected.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display for displayingan image. More particularly, the present invention relates to a liquidcrystal display using a field sequential color method.

BACKGROUND ART

As a method for implementing color display in a liquid crystal display,there has been widely used a color filter method in which white light isadapted to travel through color filters of three primary colors (red,green, and blue) provided for respective pixels, thereby conductingcolor display. In this color filter method, however, when light emittedfrom the light source travels through the color filter, only lighthaving a specific wavelength is selected and transmitted, and lighthaving the other wavelengths is absorbed. For this reason, lightavailability is low and power consumption is increased.

Accordingly, there has been proposed a field sequential color method forconducting color display by lighting a plurality of light sourcesadapted to emit different color lights by time division. In this fieldsequential color method, lights emitted from the respective lightsources are directly used for image display without traveling throughthe color filters. This results in high light availability and reducedpower consumption. In addition, cost is reduced because of absence ofthe color filters.

Since the liquid crystal display using the above color filter methodimplements color display using the color filters of three primarycolors, it is necessary to conduct display for each set of three pixels,i.e., red, green, and blue pixels. On the other hand, since the liquidcrystal display using the field sequential color method implements colordisplay by lighting the respective color lights by time division,display is conducted for each pixel. So, to achieve an equal resolutionon an equally-sized display panel, the size of pixels in the liquidcrystal display using the field sequential color method is three timesas large as the size of the pixels in the liquid crystal display usingthe color filter method.

However, if the pixels are thus large-sized, it is highly probable thatsubstances mixed in a liquid crystal layer causes dot defects. The dotdefects makes the image noticeably degraded because of the large-sizedpixels.

In the liquid crystal display using the field sequential color method,one frame period of a video signal is comprised of a plurality ofsub-frame periods, and it is necessary for liquid crystal to complete aresponse within each of the sub-frame periods. If the liquid crystalresponds slowly, satisfactory image display is impossible to achieve. Itis therefore desirable to use an OCB (Optically Self-CompensatedBirefringence) mode liquid crystal capable of high-speed response.

In the liquid crystal display having the OCB-mode liquid crystal, byapplying a relatively high voltage across a pixel electrode and acounter electrode, an alignment state of the liquid crystal is caused totransition from so-called splay alignment to bend alignment, and in thisbend alignment state, an image is displayed. Hereinbelow, the transitionfrom the splay alignment to the bend alignment is called splay to bendtransition. With regard to the liquid crystal display having theOCB-mode liquid crystal, see “Syadanhojin Denki Tsushin GattsukaiShingakugihou, EDI98–144, 199P.”

In the liquid crystal display having the OCB-mode liquid crystal, due toincomplete splay to bend transition, the liquid crystal partiallyremains in the splay alignment. In this case, the image is not normallydisplayed in pixels corresponding to the splay alignment liquid crystal,this would be observed as dot defects by an observer. As describedabove, since degradation of the image due to the dot defects isnoticeable in the case of the large-sized pixels, it is required thatthe splay to bend transition take place more reliably.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been developed under the circumstances, and anobject of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal displaycapable of achieving satisfactory image display without occurrence ofdot defects.

To achieve this objects, according to the present invention, there isprovided a liquid crystal display comprising: a first substrate having aplurality of pixel electrodes arranged in matrix; a second substrateopposed to the first substrate; a liquid crystal layer comprised ofliquid crystal interposed between the first and second substrates; acounter electrode provided on the second substrate; an illuminatingdevice having a light source for emitting lights of at least threecolors, the illuminating device being configured to sequentially emitthe lights of a plurality of colors toward the liquid crystal layer inone frame period; and a drive means for driving the liquid crystal bygenerating potential difference between each of the pixel electrodes andthe counter electrode and adjusting transmittance of the lights emittedfrom the illuminating device in the liquid crystal layer, wherein thepixel electrodes are each comprised of first and second electrodes and aconnecting portion connecting the first electrode to the secondelectrode, and the connecting portion is configured to electricallydisconnect the first and second electrodes from each other, upon acurrent having a predetermined value or more flowing through theconnecting portion.

With this configuration, in the case where the first electrode and thecounter electrode are rendered electrically conductive due to substancesmixed in the liquid crystal layer, upon a voltage corresponding to avideo signal being applied across the pixel electrode and the counterelectrode, an excess current flows through the connecting portion,thereby causing the first and second electrodes to be electricallydisconnected from each other. As a result, since the second electrodefunctions as the pixel electrode, dot defects are made less noticeable.

As a matter of course, the predetermined value varies depending on thetransverse sectional area and material of the connecting portion of thepixel electrode.

According to the present invention, there is provided a liquid crystaldisplay comprising: a first substrate having a plurality of pixelelectrodes arranged in matrix; a second substrate opposed to the firstsubstrate; a liquid crystal layer comprised of liquid crystal interposedbetween the first and second substrates; a counter electrode provided onthe second substrate; an illuminating device having a light source foremitting lights of at least three colors, the illuminating device beingconfigured to sequentially emit the lights of a plurality of colorstoward the liquid crystal layer in one frame period; and a drive meansfor driving the liquid crystal by generating potential differencebetween each of the pixel electrodes and the counter electrode andadjusting transmittance of the lights emitted from the illuminatingdevice in the liquid crystal layer, wherein the pixel electrodes areeach comprised of first and second electrodes and a connecting portionconnecting the first electrode to the second electrode, and theconnecting portion has a transverse sectional area smaller thantransverse sectional areas of the first and second electrodes.

Preferably, in the liquid crystal display of the present invention, thefirst and second electrodes are rectangular, and the connecting portionhas a width smaller than widths of the first and second electrodes.

Preferably, in the liquid crystal display of the present invention, eachpixel is provided with a storage capacitor electrode, and the connectingportion is disposed in a region overlapping with the storage capacitorelectrode with an insulator interposed between them.

With this configuration, an aperture ratio is not reduced regardless ofthe connecting portion.

Preferably, in the liquid crystal display of the present invention, analignment state of the liquid crystal in a display state and analignment state of the liquid crystal in a non-display state differ fromeach other, the liquid crystal being subjected to an initializationprocess so as to be changed from the alignment state in the non-displaystate to the alignment state in the display state, before an image isdisplayed, and the drive means is configured to perform theinitialization process by generating potential difference between theconnecting portion and the storage capacitor electrode.

Such a liquid crystal display has OCB-mode liquid crystal in which thealignment state in the non-display state is splay alignment and thealignment state in the display state is bend alignment.

Preferably, in the liquid crystal display of the present invention, thefirst electrode is provided with at least one protrusion on a side edgethereof opposed to the second electrode, in a region overlapping withthe storage capacitor electrode with the insulator interposed betweenthe first electrode and the storage capacitor electrode, and the secondelectrode is provided with a concave portion on a side edge thereofopposed to the first electrode as corresponding to the protrusion in aregion overlapping with the storage capacitor electrode with theinsulator interposed between the second electrode and the storagecapacitor electrode.

With this configuration, since an electric field is generated betweenthe protrusion and the concave portion, the alignment state of theliquid crystal can easily transition from the alignment state in thenon-display state to the alignment state in the display state.

Preferably, in the liquid crystal display of the present invention,refractive index anisotropy of the liquid crystal is 0.14 to 0.21.

Preferably, in the liquid crystal display of the present invention,dielectric constant anisotropy of the liquid crystal is 8 to 12.

This object, as well as other objects, features and advantages of theinvention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art from thefollowing description taken with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a configurationof a liquid crystal display according to a first embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically showing a structure of a liquidcrystal cell included in the liquid crystal display according to thefirst embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken in the direction of arrows alongline III—III in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a liquid crystal layer portion in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the liquid crystaldisplay according to the first embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a plan view schematically showing a liquid crystal cellincluded in a liquid crystal display according to a second embodiment ofthe present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described withreference to the accompanying drawings.

Embodiment 1

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a configurationof a liquid crystal display according to a first embodiment of thepresent invention. In FIG. 1, for the sake of convenience, X directionindicates an upward direction of a liquid crystal display panel.

As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid crystal display according to thisembodiment comprises a liquid crystal display panel 100 and a backlight70 disposed under the liquid crystal display panel 100.

The liquid crystal display panel 100 has a liquid crystal cell 101mentioned later. On an upper surface of the liquid crystal cell 101, aretardation film (hereinafter simply referred to as a negativeretardation film) 104 a comprised of an optical medium having a negativerefractive index with main axes having a hybrid arrangement, a negativeuniaxial retardation film 105 a, a positive uniaxial retardation film106, and a polarizer 107 a are disposed in this order. On a lowersurface of the liquid crystal cell 101, a negative retardation film 104b, a negative uniaxial retardation film 105 b, and a polarizer 107 b aredisposed in this order. It should be appreciated that, since a biaxialretardation film serves as both of a negative uniaxial retardation filmand a positive uniaxial retardation film, a negative retardation film104, the biaxial retardation film (not shown), and the polarizer may bedisposed on each of the both surfaces of the liquid crystal cell.

The backlight 70 comprises a light guiding plate 72 made of atransparent rectangular synthetic-resin board, a light source 71 placedin the vicinity of an end face 72 a of the light guiding plate 72 asopposed to the end face 72 a, a reflector 73 placed below the lightguiding plate 72, and a diffusing sheet 74 provided on an upper surfaceof the light guiding plate 72.

The light source 71 is a LED array in which LEDs (light-emitting diodes)for emitting lights of three primary colors—red, green, and blue, aresequentially and repeatedly arranged.

In the backlight 70 so configured, the light emitted from the lightsource 71 is incident on the light guiding plate 72 through the endface72 a. The incident light is multiple-scattered inside the light guidingplate 72 and emanates from the entire upper surface thereof. In thiscase, the light leaking downward from the light guiding plate 72 andincident on the reflector 73 is reflected by the reflector 73 andreturned to the inside of the light guiding plate 72. The lightemanating from the light guiding plate 72 is diffused by the lightdiffusing sheet 74 and the resulting diffused light is incident on theliquid crystal display panel 100. Thereby, the liquid crystal displaypanel 100 is entirely and uniformly irradiated with red, green, or bluelight.

FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically showing a structure of the liquidcrystal cell 101. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken in thedirection of arrows along line III—III in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is an enlargedview of a liquid crystal layer portion in the cross-section. In FIG. 2,for the sake of convenience, constituents provided above pixelelectrodes are omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the liquid crystal cell 101 comprises twosubstrates, i.e., an array substrate 103 and an opposing substrate 102disposed as opposed to the array substrate 103 with a spacer (not shown)interposed between them. A liquid crystal layer 4 contains liquidcrystal molecules filled into a gap between the opposing substrate 102and the array substrate 103.

The opposing substrate 102 is structured such that a transparentelectrode (counter electrode) 2 and an alignment layer 3 made ofpolyimide or the like are disposed on a lower surface of a glasssubstrate 1.

Meanwhile, the array substrate 103 has a glass substrate 10. On an uppersurface of the glass substrate 10, a wiring layer 17 is provided. Thewiring layer 17 has gate lines 12 and source lines 11 being arranged tocross each other, storage capacitor electrodes 9, and an insulator forpreventing conduction between these electrodes. In greater detail, thestorage capacitor electrodes 9 are each disposed between and in parallelwith the gate lines 12. The gate lines 12 and the storage capacitorelectrodes 9 are formed in the same layer located at a lowermostposition. An insulating layer 8 covers the gate lines 12 and the storagecapacitor electrodes 9. The source lines 11 are disposed on an uppersurface of the insulating layer 8. An insulating layer 7 covers thesource lines 11.

On an upper surface of the wiring layer 17, pixel electrodes 6 comprisedof an ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) film as a transparent conductor are eachlocated within a region defined by the gate lines 12 and the sourcelines 11. The pixel electrodes 6 are each comprised of first and secondelectrodes 6 a and 6 b which are rectangular, and a connecting portion 6c connecting the second electrode 6 a to the second electrode 6 b.Herein, a width of the connecting portion 6 c is smaller than widths ofthe first and the second electrodes 6 a and 6 b. Therefore, a transversesectional area of the connecting portion 6 c is smaller than those ofthe first and second electrodes 6 a and 6 b.

Instead of setting the width of the connecting portion 6 c smaller thanthose of the first and second electrodes 6 a and 6 b, a thickness of theconnecting portion 6 c may be set smaller than thicknesses of the firstand second electrode 6 a and 6 b to make the transverse sectional areaof the connecting portion 6 c smaller than those of the first and secondelectrodes 6 a and 6 b.

Since the storage capacitor electrode 9 is located between the gatelines 12, the pixel electrode 6 has a region overlapping with thestorage capacitor electrode 9 with the insulating layers 7 and 8interposed between them. Within the overlapping region, the connectingportion 6 c is located. By providing the connecting portion 6 c in theregion overlapping with the storage capacitor electrode 9, an apertureratio is not reduced.

The alignment layer 5 made of polyimide or the like covers the pixelelectrodes 6 and the wiring layer 17. The alignment layer 5 and thealignment layer 3 provided on the opposing substrate 102 side have beensubjected to an alignment process such as known rubbing treatment toalign the liquid crystal molecules within the liquid crystal layer 4 inparallel and in the same direction. In this embodiment, the direction ofthe alignment process is parallel to the source lines 11.

Reference numeral 13 denotes a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) as asemiconductor switching device and reference numeral 14 denotes a drainelectrode connecting the TFT 13 to the pixel electrode 6.

In an initial state of the liquid crystal display panel 100 soconfigured, the liquid crystal molecules 20 have splay alignment asshown in FIG. 4( a). In the liquid crystal display of this embodiment, apredetermined voltage is applied to the liquid crystal display panel 100as mentioned later, to cause the alignment state of the liquid crystalmolecules 20 to transition from the splay alignment to bend alignment asshown in FIG. 4( b). In the bend alignment state, the image isdisplayed. That is, the liquid crystal display panel 100 is an OCB-modedisplay panel. Hereinafter, the voltage applied to the liquid crystaldisplay panel 100 to cause the alignment state of the liquid crystalmolecules 20 to transition from the splay alignment to the bendalignment, is called a transition voltage.

In general, a retardation Δnd of the liquid crystal layer defined as aproduct of a thickness d of the liquid crystal layer and refractiveindex anisotropy Δn of the liquid crystal molecules is preferablybetween 600 nm and 900 nm, based on a relationship with the retardationfilm.

Accordingly, in this embodiment, the thickness (cell gap) of the liquidcrystal layer 4 is set between 4 μm and 6 μm, and the refractive indexanisotropy Δn of the liquid crystal molecules 20 is set between 0.14 and0.21 in view of the fact that reliability is significantly degraded ifthe refractive index anisotropy Δn of the liquid crystal molecules isgreater than 0.21.

Dielectric constant anisotropy of the liquid crystal molecules 20 is setbetween 8 and 12 for the purpose of a low drive voltage and reliabilityof the liquid crystal molecules.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a liquid crystaldisplay according to the first embodiment of the present invention.Referring to FIGS. 2, 3, and 5, the liquid crystal display panel 100 isa well-known TFT (Thin Film Transistor)-type display panel, and the gatelines 12 and the source lines 11 are arranged in matrix as describedabove. The gate lines 12 and the source lines 11 of the liquid crystaldisplay panel 100 are driven by a gate driver 502 and a source driver503, respectively, and an operation of the gate driver 502 and anoperation of the source driver 503 are controlled by a control circuit501.

In the liquid crystal display according to the embodiment, in one frameperiod, the control circuit 501 outputs a control signal to thebacklight 70 to cause LEDs as the light source of the backlight 70 tosequentially emit lights in the order of red, green, and blue, in apredetermined cycle. To conduct display in synchronization with thelights, the control circuit 501 also outputs control signals to the gatedriver 502 and the source driver 503, respectively, according to a videosignal 504 externally input. As a result, the gate driver 502 appliesscan signal voltages to the gate lines 12, thereby causing TFTs 13 ofpixels to be sequentially turned on, while, according to the timing, thesource driver 503 sequentially applies voltages corresponding to thevideo signal 504 to the pixel electrodes 6 of the respective pixelsthrough the source lines 11. Thereby, the liquid crystal molecules 20are modulated and transmittance of the light emitted from the backlight70 changes. As a result, an image corresponding to the video signal 504is visible to a viewer observing the liquid crystal display.

As described above, the LEDs of the backlight 70 sequentially emitlights in the order of red, green and blue, but the order is notintended to be limited to this. For example, lights may be emitted inthe order of blue, green and red.

Next, an operation of the liquid crystal display according to theembodiment will be described in conjunction with application of thetransition voltage to the liquid crystal display panel 100.

As described previously, to conduct image display in the liquid crystaldisplay according to this embodiment, the splay to bend transition needsto take place. To this end, in the liquid crystal display of thisembodiment, the transition voltage is applied across the pixel electrode6 and the storage capacitor electrode 9 before image display isconducted. Here, the transition voltage is set to approximately 25V.

Upon application of the transition voltage, strong electric fieldconcentration occurs in the vicinity of the connecting portion 6 c ofthe pixel electrode 6. As shown in FIG. 2, an electric field in atransverse direction (direction parallel to the substrate) indicated byarrows 110 (hereinafter referred to as a transverse electric field) isgenerated between the first electrode 6 a and the second electrode 6 b.As a result, the liquid crystal molecules 20 arranged in the vicinity ofthe connecting portion 6 c of each pixel electrode 6 become a transitionnucleus, which is grown, thus achieving splay to bend transition. Thatis, the liquid crystal molecules 20 arranged in the vicinity of theconnecting portion 6 c becomes the transition nucleus, and thereby thesplay to bend transition smoothly takes place.

As should be appreciated, in the liquid crystal display of thisembodiment, since the liquid crystal molecules 20 arranged in thevicinity of the connecting portion 6 c of each pixel electrode 6 becomethe transition nucleus, the splay to bend transition reliably takesplace. Consequently, satisfactory image display is achieved without dotdefects.

Subsequently, an event that dot defects occur due to substances mixed inthe liquid crystal layer, will be described.

Commonly, in the liquid crystal display, the pixel electrode and thecounter electrode are rendered electrically conductive for some reason,for example, due to substances mixed in the liquid crystal layer. Inthis case, potential difference between the pixel electrode and thecounter electrode becomes zero, and therefore, the liquid crystalmolecules within the pixel corresponding to the pixel electrode is notmodulated. For this reason, in this pixel, the image is not normallydisplayed and dot defect occurs.

In the liquid crystal display of this embodiment, if substances aremixed in the liquid crystal layer 4 in the vicinity of the firstelectrode 6 a of the pixel electrode 6, the first electrode 6 a and thecounter electrode 2 might be rendered electrically conductive. In thiscase, if a predetermined voltage is applied across the pixel electrode 6and the counter electrode 2, an excess current flows through theconnecting portion 6 c having the transverse sectional area smaller thanthat of the first electrode 6 a. As a result, the first electrode 6 aand the second electrode 6 b are electrically disconnected. In otherwords, the first electrode 6 a and the second electrode 6 b areelectrically divided. Under the condition, since the second electrode 6b functions as a normal pixel electrode, a region of the dot defects canbe reduced in contrast to the conventional liquid crystal display,although an area capable of normally displaying the image is reduced tohalf. This follows that the dot defects become less noticeable than inthe conventional liquid crystal display even in the case of thelarge-sized pixels.

Embodiment 2

FIG. 6 is a plan view schematically showing a structure of a liquidcrystal cell included in a liquid crystal display according to a secondembodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, the firstelectrode 6 a of the pixel electrode 6 is provided with two protrusions6 d on a side edge thereof opposed to the second electrode 6 b. Thesecond electrode 6 b is provided with concave portions 6 e on a sideedge thereof opposed to the first electrode 6 a so as to correspond tothe two protrusions 6 d. These protrusions 6 d and the concave portions6 e are disposed in a region overlapping with the storage capacitorelectrode 9.

The other structure of the liquid crystal display of this embodiment isidentical to that of the first embodiment, and will not be furtherdescribed.

In the liquid crystal display of this embodiment so configured, uponapplication of the transition voltage across the pixel electrode 6 andthe storage capacitor electrode 9, strong electric field concentrationoccurs in the vicinity of the connecting portion 6 c and in the vicinityof a region between each of the protrusions 6 d and the correspondingconcave portion 6 e. In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, a transverseelectric field is generated between the first electrode 6 a and thesecond electrode 6 b in two directions as indicated by arrows 110 and120. As a result, the splay to bend transition takes place more reliablythan in the first embodiment.

While the number of the protrusions 6 d and the concave portions 6 ecorresponding to the protrusions 6 d are respectively two, as a matterof course, the similar effects are obtained by providing one or moreprotrusions and concave portions.

Thus, by the reliable splay to bend transition, occurrence of the dotdefects can be prevented. Thereby, a satisfactory image display isachieved.

Numerous modifications and alternative embodiments of the invention willbe apparent to those skilled in the art in the light of the foregoingdescription. Accordingly, the description is to be construed asillustrative only, and is provided for the purpose of teaching thoseskilled in the art the best mode of carrying out the invention. Thedetails of the structure and/or function may be varied.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

A liquid crystal display of the present invention is useful as a displayfor use in a liquid crystal television, a liquid crystal monitor, orsmall electronic instruments such as a portable phone and a view finder.

1. A liquid crystal display comprising: a first substrate having aplurality of pixel electrodes arranged in matrix; a second substrateopposed to the first substrate; a liquid crystal layer comprised ofliquid crystal interposed between the first and second substrates; acounter electrode provided on the second substrate; an illuminatingdevice having a light source for emitting lights of at least threecolors, the illuminating device being configured to sequentially emitthe lights of a plurality of colors toward the liquid crystal layer inone frame period; and a drive means for driving the liquid crystal bygenerating potential difference between each of the pixel electrodes andthe counter electrode and adjusting transmittance of the lights emittedfrom the illuminating device in the liquid crystal layer, wherein thepixel electrodes are each comprised of first and second electrodes and aconnecting portion connecting the first electrode to the secondelectrode, the connecting portion has a transverse sectional areasmaller than transverse sectional areas of the first and secondelectrodes, each pixel is provided with a storage capacitor electrode,the connecting portion is disposed in a region overlapping with thestorage capacitor electrode with an insulator interposed between them,an alignment state of the liquid crystal in a display state and analignment state of the liquid crystal in a non-display state differ fromeach other, the liquid crystal being subjected to an initializationprocess so as to be changed from the alignment state in the non-displaystate to the alignment state in the display state before an image isdisplayed, and the drive means is configured to perform theinitialization process by generating potential difference between theconnecting portion and the storage capacitor electrode.
 2. The liquidcrystal display according to claim 1, wherein the alignment state in thenon-display state is splay alignment and the alignment state in thedisplay state is bend alignment.
 3. The liquid crystal display accordingto claim 1, wherein the first electrode is provided with at least oneprotrusion on a side edge thereof opposed to the second electrode, in aregion overlapping with the storage capacitor electrode with theinsulator interposed between the first electrode and the storagecapacitor electrode, and the second electrode is provided with a concaveportion on a side edge thereof opposed to the first electrode ascorresponding to the protrusion in a region overlapping with the storagecapacitor electrode with the insulator interposed between the secondelectrode and the storage capacitor electrode.
 4. The liquid crystaldisplay according to claim 1, wherein refractive index anisotropy of theliquid crystal is 0.14 to 0.21.
 5. The liquid crystal display accordingto claim 1, wherein dielectric constant anisotropy of the liquid crystalis 8 to
 12. 6. A liquid crystal display comprising: a first substratehaving a plurality of pixel electrodes arranged in matrix; a secondsubstrate opposed to the first substrate; a liquid crystal layercomprised of liquid crystal interposed between the first and secondsubstrates; a counter electrode provided on the second substrate; anilluminating device having a light source for emitting lights of atleast three colors, the illuminating device being configured tosequentially emit the lights of a plurality of colors toward the liquidcrystal layer in one frame period; and a drive means for driving theliquid crystal by generating potential difference between each of thepixel electrodes and the counter electrode and adjusting transmittanceof the lights emitted from the illuminating device in the liquid crystallayer, wherein the pixel electrodes are each comprised of first andsecond electrodes and a connecting portion connecting the firstelectrode to the second electrode, the connecting portion is configuredto electrically disconnect the first and second electrodes from eachother, upon a current having a predetermined value or more flowingthrough the connecting portion, each pixel is provided with a storagecapacitor electrode, the connecting portion is disposed in a regionoverlapping with the storage capacitor electrode with an insulatorinterposed between them, an alignment state of the liquid crystal in adisplay state and an alignment state of the liquid crystal in anon-display state differ from each other, the liquid crystal beingsubjected to an initialization process so as to be changed from thealignment state in the non-display state to the alignment state in thedisplay state before an image is displayed, and the drive means isconfigured to perform the initialization process by generating potentialdifference between the connecting portion and the storage capacitorelectrode.
 7. The liquid crystal display according to claim 6, whereinthe alignment state in the non-display state is splay alignment and thealignment state in the display state is bend alignment.
 8. The liquidcrystal display according to claim 6, wherein the first electrode isprovided with at least one protrusion on a side edge thereof opposed tothe second electrode, in a region overlapping with the storage capacitorelectrode with the insulator interposed between the first electrode andthe storage capacitor electrode, and the second electrode is providedwith a concave portion on a side edge thereof opposed to the firstelectrode as corresponding to the protrusion in a region overlappingwith the storage capacitor electrode with the insulator interposedbetween the second electrode and the storage capacitor electrode.
 9. Theliquid crystal display according to claim 6, wherein refractive indexanisotropy of the liquid crystal is 0.14 to 0.21.
 10. The liquid crystaldisplay according to claim 6, wherein dielectric constant anisotropy ofthe liquid crystal is 8 to 12.